Decoy apparatus for attracting animals

ABSTRACT

A decoy moving apparatus for attracting animals including a winding and unwinding apparatus and a set of reels having a line or string extending to at least one stake or decoy anchor reference point, wherein the line is attached to a decoy pulled between the winding apparatus and one or more anchors, whereby winding the line with the decoy apparatus moves the decoy back and forth and/or rotates the decoy on its axis. The decoy may float in water, mounted to a sled type mounting base, or suspended from a wire, depending upon the habitat of the animal to be attracted to the viewer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an apparatus for moving a decoy or decoys toattract animals by moving the decoys to stimulate various motions oflive animals.

Most conventional decoys do not move or are designed for limitedmovement; however, the present invention not only attracts animals, butmaintains their interest due to the control and deliberate movement ofthe decoy by the user.

Conventional decoys are stationary or move a portion of the body, pivot,or turn; however, the movement is repetitious and restricted so thatprolonged exposure to the animal causes a loss of attraction. Contraryto conventional decoys, the decoy moving apparatus of the presentinvention is capable of moving decoys hundreds of yards if necessary inirregular patterns at various speeds.

Often the target animal will approach a still decoy, but will be luredoff by other live animals. The present invention provides an importanttool for both hunters and photographers for attracting animals to themby mobilizing the decoy and controlling the movement.

The movable decoy mounting base provides a means for luring the animalto the viewer. The movement of the decoy keeps the animals attention andaids in camouflaging the activities of the viewer so that the animal isless likely to spot the viewer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The decoy apparatus for attracting animals includes a winding apparatusand a set of reels having a line or string extending to, through, oraround at least one fixed reference point, wherein the line is attachedto a decoy pulled between the winding apparatus and/or one or moreanchors, whereby winding the string with the decoy apparatus moves thedecoy back and forth and/or rotates the decoy on its axis.

A preferred embodiment of the decoy moving device includes a frame whichis typically composed of a one or more vertical tubular members whichcan be pushed into the ground or mounted from a base. A means forrotatably supporting at least a first takeon/takeoff reel and at least asecond takeon/takeoff reel are supported by the frame. A preferred meansfor rotatable support includes a rotatable shaft in cooperativeengagement with both reels supported within a sleeve mountedhorizontally to the frame. A means for rotating the first takeoff reeland said second takeon reel consists of a hand crank or small electricmotor. The reels may be turned in the same direction at the same time orin an opposite direction independent of one another. A means foranchoring a line extending from the reels is movably held by astationary object such as stake, rock, tree, anchored decoy or othermeans which allows the line to move slidably therethrough or around sothat the line can be unwound from one reel wound onto another. Thestationary object for ground applications is preferably a stake having aloop or reel attached therethrough for passage of the line. A movabledecoy such as a deer, rabbit, duck, fawn, turkey, etc. is attached to aline extending from the takeoff reel through the anchor object to thetakeon reel for moving the decoy back and forth from the anchor toeither one of the reels. Of course several decoys may be attached to theline at several points between a plurality of anchors.

The winding apparatus provides a means of alternating the direction ofmovement of the decoy by simply sliding the shaft to one side or theother of the sleeve to engage or disengage a selected reel letting theopposing reel "freewheel" while rotating the crank. This method ofengaging the reels permits the winding reel or unwinding reel to beengaged by turning the crank in the same direction when the line isattached so that it feeds from both reels at either the top or bottom.By threading the line onto the reels so the line is taken on or off atthe bottom of one reel and the top of the other reel the crank will beturned in opposite directions for winding or unwinding the line. Ofcourse both reels may be locked together for winding and unwinding atthe same time; however, when one reel becomes full of line and the otherreel has most of the line removed the slack causes the line to fall onthe ground providing an area of entanglement.

To use the decoy moving apparatus push the legs of the winding mechanisminto the ground or secure to a base. Take the end of a first line fromone of the reels and thread it through the pulley of the anchor pulleyand place shaft of the anchor pulley into the ground or anchor it in thewater. Secure the end of the first line to the decoy base sled. Repeatthe procedure with the second reel and second line. The shaft of thedecoy mechanism can be moved back and forth to engage or disengage thefirst or second reel to determine the direction of movement of thedecoy.

It is contemplated that a plurality of reels may be used in pairs tocontrol additional decoy lines. The reels would be designated firstreel, second reel, etc. starting from the position closest to the crankhandle. As described heretofore, the preferred embodiment using feed andtake-up reels rotating in the same direction. The first reel disengagesthe opposing second reel so that the first reel of the engaged side iswinding the string in while the opposing disengaged second reelfree-wheels, "spinning freely on the sleeve", thereby releasing stringfrom the spool as needed for movement of the decoy. In order to reversethe direction of the decoy, the shaft is moved through the sleeve orsupporting means, by pulling or pushing, to disengage the engaged firstreel and engage the prior disengaged second reel. The crank is thenturned in the same direction so that the second reel is winding in thestring and the first reel is unwinding string thereby causing the decoyto pivot and move in the opposite direction. Moreover the engagementmechanism allows the user to changed the direction of movement of thedecoy very quickly in order to make the decoy turn back and forth and"dance" in accordance with the desired method of enticing animals to thedecoy.

The preferred embodiment of the winding mechanism comprises one or morepairs of reels or reels rotatably mounted on a single horizontal shaft;however, it is contemplated that the reels could be mounted on avertical shaft as well, or one above the other on the same side of theframe support. Moreover, the reels of the preferred embodiment areround; however, it is contemplated that the reels could be formed inelliptical shape forming cams to vary the speed of movement of thedecoy. A transmission such as a belt drive or gears may also be utilizedto vary the speed of the decoy or provide greater power to pull heavydecoys.

A brake may also be used with the preferred embodiment by using a springwrapped coaxially around the sleeve and engaging each reel with a slighttension to assist in control of the amount of string being reeled off ofthe freewheeling reel. The brake mechanism may also be mounted at anyposition between the reels by an arm or other support means just so longas the reels are engaged by the brake. Of course other means of brakingutilizing friction means on the reels or on the string being taken offof the reel can also be substituted for the braking system of thepreferred embodiment.

An important feature in that the disengagement of the opposing reelallows the right amount of string to be removed from the pulley or reel,yet keep at least some tension on the string in order to keep the stringfrom falling over the ground and becoming entangled or knotted andinterfering with the movement of the decoy. The reels are not directlylinked together mechanically as with gears because the amount of stringon a full reel provides a circumference of a larger diameter than analmost empty reel, and would tend to cause the string to gather on theground due to the difference in rate of rotation of the smaller reel incomparison with the larger reel.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a decoymoving apparatus utilizing a line of string or wire to pull a decoy or adecoy mounted onto a base.

Another important advantage and object of the present invention is toprovide a decoy moving apparatus which is quiet.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a means of usingas many anchor pulleys as desired in order to move the decoy in selectedpatterns, such as zig zag patterns.

It is another object of the present invention to provide each anchorwith a pulley or loop in order that the decoy line is capable of movingback and forth between the winding mechanism and one or more anchorpulleys and that the decoy be pulled from the decoy winding apparatus toan anchor, or from one anchor to another anchor in a selected motion.

It is another object of the present invention to color or paint portionsof the winding apparatus and/or decoy holding sled in a camouflagecolor.

Another important advantage and object of the present invention is thatthe decoy moving apparatus can be operated with one hand.

It is another object of the present invention to be able to place theanchor pulleys in position and to move the decoy around corners orobjects which the user cannot see around such as a large tree, bend ofthe road, or over hills.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a decoy movingapparatus which can be used for moving targets in different locations,on land, in the water, or even from a tree stand wherein the decoy canbe suspended in the air, so that the user may operate the windingmechanism from a convenient vantage point behind objects, in a treestand or from the bank of a body of water.

It is another object of the present invention to provide for using ascent, or taped sound device, or mouth calls in combination with thedecoy moving apparatus.

It is another object to provide a decoy moving apparatus which iscompact enough to fit into a backpack or bag.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a windingapparatus whereby the decoy can be pulled to or away from the frame ofthe winding apparatus while cranking in a single direction by using ashaft/reel engaging/disengaging mechanism.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a baseforming a sled.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a windingmechanism comprising a pair of reels independently rotatively engagedwith a manual crank.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a means ofenergizing the reels of the winding mechanism using a motor powered by abattery or electric motor.

It is another object of the present invention to utilize line selectedfrom the group consisting of clear fishing line, nylon, cotton cord,string, metal wire and cable, or other polymers.

It is another object of the present invention to utilize clear line fordeer, crows, owl, ducks, and geese.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method forthe user to rotate the decoy and to change the direction of movement ofthe decoy very quickly in order to make the decoy turn back and forthand "dance" in accordance with the desired method of enticing animals tothe decoy.

Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a supportmeans for the decoys mounted onto the base sled whereby different typesof decoys may be utilized with the sled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the present invention will be had uponreference to the following description in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like partsthroughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the winding mechanism of the presentinvention showing a pair of reels mounted to a shaft of a support framewherein the reels are engaged and rotated in the same directionindependently by a hand crank, and showing a line wrapped around thereels in the same direction and through the guide eyelets with a shafttension spring exerting light pressure on the reels;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 along lines 1--1 showing thesleeve, reels, shaft, spring brake, shaft tension spring, and frame,wherein the first reel is engaged and the second reel is disengaged andfree wheeling;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 along lines 1--1 showing thesleeve, reels, shaft, spring brake, and frame, wherein the first reel isdisengaged and free wheeling and the second reel is engaged;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the winding mechanism of an alternateembodiment of the present invention showing a pair of reels mounted to ashaft of a support frame wherein the reels are engaged and rotated inthe opposite direction independently by a hand crank, and showing a linewrapped around the reels in opposite directions and through the guideeyelets with a shaft tension spring exerting light pressure on thereels;

FIG. 5 is a front view of FIG. 4 showing the shaft tension springs;

FIG. 6 is a front view of FIG. 4 showing the shaft tension springsreplaced by a spring brake;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 along lines 5--5 showing thesleeve, reels, shaft, shaft tension spring, and frame, wherein the firstreel is engaged and the second reel is disengaged and free wheeling;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 6 along lines 6--6 showing thesleeve, reels, shaft, spring brake, and frame, wherein the first reel isdisengaged and free wheeling and the second reel is engaged;

FIG. 9 is a left side view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment wherein theboth of the reels are engaged at the same time for unwinding and windingthe line;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 10 along lines 10--10 showingthe sleeve, reels, shaft, spring brake, shaft tension spring, frame, andlocking pins extending through and engaging both reels;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an anchor pin and pulley for use withthe invention;

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a spring brake;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of a crank handle and shaft showing the reelengaging pins;

FIG. 15 is a shaft sleeve for supporting the shaft therethrough andreels thereon;

FIG. 16 is a perspective side view showing an decoy mounted onto a sledbase having a plurality of positioning points therein;

FIG. 17 is a perspective side view showing an alternate embodiment ofthe decoy sled base showing the means for holding formed extendinguniformly across the top surface of the sled and having a recessed areato accommodate the line holding means;

FIG. 18 is an base mounting unit for the frame of the winding mechanismshown in FIG. 1 providing means for removably mounting the unit on ahard surface such as a tree stand.

FIG. 19 shows the decoy sled base being pulled along a path from left toright;

FIG. 20 shows the decoy sled base being rotated at a right angle withrespect to the path of travel;

FIG. 21 shows the decoy turned around 180 degrees for movement in theopposite direction;

FIG. 22 is a schematic representation showing the winding mechanismconnected to a single anchor pulley for moving a decoy back and forth inbetween;

FIG. 23 is a schematic representation showing the winding mechanismconnected to a pair of spaced apart anchor pulleys for moving one ormore decoys back and forth in between wherein the decoys are floating onwater and the anchors are weights attached to immovable decoys andmoveable decoys are pulled back and forth in between the anchored decoysto the winding mechanism;

FIG. 24 is a schematic representation showing the decoy moving between apair of anchor pulleys from the first reel to the second reel of thewinding mechanism;

FIG. 25 is a schematic representation showing a different pattern orpath of the decoy layout;

FIG. 26 is a schematic representation showing a plurality of decoysmoving between a plurality of anchor pulleys from the first reel to thesecond reel of the winding mechanism;

FIG. 27 is a schematic representation showing a different pattern orpath of the decoy layout of the decoys of FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 shows a claw anchor pulley for use with the present invention;

FIG. 29 shows a top view of the decoy sled having partitions formed forholding weights therein;

FIG. 30 is a front view of the sled mounting base;

FIG. 31 is a side view of the sled mounting base; and

FIG. 32 shows an overhead support assembly.

SPECIFICATION

The decoy base and winding apparatus 10 of the present invention ismanufactured from readily available materials and simple in design. Thepreferred embodiment is comprised of metal, more particularly steel;however, it is contemplated that aluminum, wood, fiberglass, plastic,polymer composite materials, or combinations thereof could be used incombination with or substituted for the steel components of the presentinvention.

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-11 show the decoy moving windingand unwinding apparatus 10 comprising a frame 12 which is typicallycomposed of a one or more vertical tubular members which can be pushedinto the ground or mounted from a base. The frame 12 of the preferredembodiment utilizes a first front leg 14 vertical tubular member and asecond rear leg 16 as a vertical tubular member. The distal ends 18 ofthe first leg 14 and second leg 16 are pointed to facilitate easyinsertion into the ground or for cooperative engagement into a holdingmember 19 such as shown in FIG. 18. The frame 12 of the preferredembodiment utilizes three cross members for stability. The first crossmember 20 is connects the first leg 14 and second leg 16 together nearthe central area of the frame 12. The second cross member 22 is locatedbetween the first cross member 20 for providing lateral stability andsupporting a reel holding means, and a third top cross member 24 whichis often formed in a shape having a generally flattened appearance toprovide a good grip of carrying and a smooth surface for pushing thelegs 14, 16, into the ground.

As shown in FIG. 18, a winding apparatus mounting base 19 may beattached to fixed objects such as a tree stand for support thereof. Thebase includes a longitudinal member for attachment to a surface havingcylinders extending upward therefrom sized for and spaced apart forcooperative engagement with the legs of the winding apparatus. A crossmember may be attached to one end of the longitudinal support member bya pin providing a pivoting point and additional vertical stabilitytherefore

A pair of reels 36, 38 are formed having flat sidewalls; however, thesidewalls may be formed curving outwardly toward the outer edge to guidethe line 48 into the reel 36, 38. It is contemplated that additionalreels may be added and operated with the same crank to move additionaldecoys 86.

The reel holding means is supported on and normal to the second crossmember 22. The reel holding means in the preferred embodiment is ahorizontal tubular member or sleeve 26; however, it is contemplated thatrings, loops, or one or more sections of tubing could be utilizedtherefore. Within the sleeve 26 is a shaft or axle 28 rotatablysupporting at least a first takeoff reel 36 and at least a second takeonreel 38. Washers 34 positioned on each side of the reels 36, 38 are heldin, place by means for holding such as retainer rings or spring clips 54which may engage a groove 52 as shown in FIG. 15. Thus, the reels 36, 38are held in position upon the sleeve 26 by the spring clips 54.

In the preferred embodiment the shaft 28 cooperatively engages bothreels 36, 38 separated by the frame 12 and supported within the sleeve26 mounted horizontally to the frame 12. A means for rotating the firstreel 36 and said second reel 38 consists of a hand crank having a handle30. A small electric motor 29 powered by electricity or batteries couldalso be utilized for power to rotate the reels 36, 38 (see FIG. 6).Moreover, a remote control unit could be used to actuate the electricmotor and provide forward motion, reverse motion, and variable speed. Itis also contemplated that a worm gear assembly could be mounted onto theframe so that a shaft 28 aligned normal to the reels 36, 38 and poweredby hand or an electric motor could be used to rotate the reels 36, 38 sothat the crank can be positioned behind the reels 36, 38 rather thanextending from the side as shown in the preferred embodiments.

Means for guiding the line 48 comprising loops 46 extend from the frame12 normal thereto in front of and in alignment with each of the reels 36and 38. The loops 46 shown in the figures extend outwardly fromhorizontal arms 44 affixed to the sides of the frame 12 at a selectedposition; however, the loops may be removably attached to the frame 12or rotatably and/or slidably attached thereto for adjustment. Typicallythe loops 46 are mounted near the top or bottom of the reels 36, 38depending upon the point of takeon or takeoff of the line 48.

In the preferred embodiments the reels 36, 38 may be turned in the samedirection at the same time or in an opposite direction independent ofone another depending upon whether the line is wrapped on the reels 36,38 clockwise or counterclockwise. The line 48 may be attached to thefirst reel 36 and second reel 38 so that the line 48 feeds, and takesoff, from the bottom of the reels 36, 38 so that the crank handle 30 isturned in the same direction when feeding and winding the line 48. Theline 48 may be fed at the top of one reel and taken up at the bottom ofthe other reel whereby the crank handle 30 may be rotated in oppositedirections depending upon which direction the decoy is moved back andforth.

A means for biasing and applying tension on one or both of reels 36, 38provides a means to control free-wheeling of the unengaged reel 36, 38.As shown best in FIGS. 2 and 3, the biasing means may comprise a springbrake 50 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 13. The spring brake 50 comprises atubular longitudinal member 62 having a spring 58 inserted within, and apair of spacer means such as cylindrical sections 60 having end surfaceswhich abut the distal ends of the spring 58. The length of the springbrake 50 and tension of the spring 58 are designed positioning betweenthe reels 36 and 38 in order to provide slight pressure thereto andlimit the amount of free-wheeling of one or both reels 36 and 38.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an alternate means of exerting tension andlimiting free-wheeling of one or both of the reels 36, 38 is to insert atension spring 32 coaxially around the shaft 26 and inbetween the washer34 and the second cross member 22 so that the tension spring 32 abutsthe frame 12 and side of the reels 36, 38

It should be noted that neither the tension spring 32 nor the springbrake 50 are required for operation of the present invention and thatthe invention may be used with a tension spring 32, a spring brake 50,or combination thereof.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the winding apparatus utilizes a shaft 28 of alength sufficient to extend outwardly past the end of the reel 38whereby the reels 36, 38 rotate about and slide along the shaft 28. Theshaft 28 slides back and forth to engage and disengage opposite reels36, 38 making disengaged reel 36, 38 free wheeling. The washer 34 of thereel 36, 38 abuts the frame to limit lateral movement inwardly and thepins 42 limit lateral movement of the reels 36, 38 outwardly. As shownbest in FIG. 14, a first pin 42 extends through the shaft 28 on theproximal end of the shaft 28 end near the crank handle 30 and isslidably engageable with a first ring coupling member 40 having a grooveor notch 41 formed in the outer surface thereof opposite the reel 36,38. The ring coupling member 40 may be formed integrally with the reelor it may abut and be affixed to the outer wall of the reel 36, 38. Asecond ring coupling member 40 is positioned against the exterior wallof the opposing reel 38 extending outwardly having a cooperative grooveand second pin 43 extending through the shaft 28 at the distal endthereof. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the pins 42, 43 are spaced apartfrom one another and the reels 36, 38 so that when the shaft 28 ispushed inwardly toward the second reel 38, the first pin 42cooperatively engages the first ring coupling member 40 and the firstreel 36. When the shaft 28 is pulled out toward the crank 30 the firstpin 42 is disengaged from the first ring coupling 40 and the second pin43 is pulled into and cooperatively engages the second ring coupling 40or the second reel 38.

As shown in FIG. 11, the first pin 42 and second pin 43 are spaced toengage the first ring coupling member and the second ring couplingmember simultaneously providing a means for feeding line 48 and takingup line 48. This arrangement tends to produce slack line which gatherson the ground depending upon the amount of line used due to the changeof circumference of the line 48 remaining on the reels 36, 38.

FIG. 12 shows a typical anchor pin 64 consisting of a spike 66 having across member 68 forming a handle attached to the distal end opposite thepoint 70. One or more spacer members 72 such as a washer are securelypositioned at a selected point to provide the desired ground clearance.A pulley 74 is attached to the anchor pin 64 by a hook 76 or othermeans. The spike 66 of the preferred anchor pin 64 is comprised ofmetal; however, other durable materials may be used as well. The spike66 may also be formed having flights or formed in corkscrew shape tofacilitate placement into the ground. It is contemplated that othertypes of anchor devises may be used with the present invention.

Of course the line 48 could be mounted to a tree, rock or otherimmovable object depending on the terrain and type of movement desiredfor the decoy 86. In a water environment, the line is connected to ananchor decoy or other camouflaged object which may be anchored by aweight or other holding means so that the decoy 86 can be moved to theanchor decoy back and forth between the first and second reels, 36 and38, respectively.

"U-shaped" members may be placed into the ground at various points toaid in holding the line close to the ground in uneven terrain.

FIGS. 16, 17, and 29-31 show a movable decoy mounting base 19 for usewith the winding apparatus 10. The preferred embodiment comprises a sled78 which is oval in shape and substantially flat. The side edges 79 areangled upwardly to facilitate sliding over grass or irregularities ofthe ground surface. The upper surface 80 includes at least one andpreferably a plurality of apertures 82 extending a selected distanceinto the base surface 80 for cooperatively engage one or more holdingmembers or legs 84 of the decoy 86. Usually two legs 84 are used toprevent rotation of the decoy 86; however, one leg 84 may be used iffastened securely into the aperture 82 or if the aperture is formedhaving a cross-sectional are having a particular shape being square,octagon, etc. In the preferred embodiment, a hole 88 is formed at aselected location in the sled 78 spaced apart from the front, back, orcenter points so that the line 48 is run in-under the sled 78 andextends upwardly through the surface 80 where it is tied to an eyelet90. In the preferred embodiment the eyelet 90 is formed in a recessedarea of the sled 78 to maintain a low center of gravity and be lessnoticeable. As shown in FIG. 29 the sled may include webbing to increasestrength and reduce weight and provide a section to hold weights 92. Asshown in FIGS. 19-21, the position of the hole 88 provides a means forthe user to control the pivoting of the decoy 86 with the winding device10.

The movable decoy mounting base or sled 74 of the preferred embodimentis fabricated in various sizes depending upon the size and weight of thedecoy 86 to be supported thereon. For instance, a 12 inch by 18 inchsled can be used for lightweight decoys 86 consisting of polyurethanefoam, styroforma, plastic, or shell type decoy animals such as turkeys,geese, ducks, rabbits, or fawn deer. Larger sleds 74 of approximately 24inches by 30 inches are used for coyotes, adult deer, moose, or elk. Itis contemplated that the decoys 86 may be integrally formed having asled base of runners thereon or that a cart supported by wheels orrollers could be utilized as a movable decoy base. Weights may be usedon the sled or formed integrally therewith to provide a stable base forlarge or heavy decoys in adverse environmental conditions.

FIGS. 22-27 illustrate various schematic representations using the sled78 and winding apparatus 10 of the present invention. FIG. 22 is aschematic representation showing the winding mechanism 10 connected to asingle anchor pulley 64 for moving a decoy 86 back and forththereinbetween. FIG. 23 is a schematic representation showing thewinding mechanism 10 connected to a pair of spaced apart decoy anchorpulleys 65 for moving one or more decoys 86 back and forththereinbetween wherein the decoys 86 are floating on water and the decoyanchor pulleys 65 consist of immovable decoy anchor pulleys 65 havingweights attached thereto whereby moveable decoys anchor pulleys 65 arepulled back and forth in between the decoy anchor pulleys 65 to thewinding mechanism 10. FIG. 24 is a schematic representation showing thedecoy 86 moving between a pair of anchor pulleys 64 from the first reel36 to the second reel 38 of the winding mechanism 10. FIG. 25 is aschematic representation showing another triangular pattern or path ofthe decoy 86 path. FIG. 26 is a schematic representation showing aplurality of decoys 86 moving between a plurality of anchor pulleys 64from the first reel 36 to the second reel 38 of the winding mechanism 10in a diamond pattern. FIG. 27 is a schematic representation showing adifferent decoy layout wherein the decoys 86 are traveling in a row.

As shown in FIG. 28, a claw anchor pulley 94 includes a shaft having afirst end connected to an anchor pulley and a second end connected to across member extending outwardly on both sides therefrom wherein thedistal ends of the cross member are connected normal to hook membersformed having a bend at about a right angle. The string can be threadedthrough the reel of the claw anchor pulley which can be thrown from aconcealed position near the animal to be attracted so that decoy can bemoved between claw anchor pulley and the first and second reels 36, 38.

An overhead support cable system 100 attached to stationary objects mayalso be used to support large animal decoys and used in combination withthe decoy moving winding apparatus 10 of the present invention. A firsttop line 102 supports a swivel pulley 104 having one or more decoysuspension lines 106 attached to the decoy 86. The line 48 from thewinding apparatus 10 is anchored to the stationary objects by pulleys108. The line 48 is fastened to an eyelet or other holding means on thedecoy 86 to provide the means for moving the decoy 86 between thestationary objects.

The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness ofunderstanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understoodtherefrom, for modifications will become obvious to those skilled in theart based upon more recent disclosures and may be made without departingfrom the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A decoy moving device, comprising:a frame; means forrotatably supporting a first reel and a second reel; means for rotatingsaid first reel and said second reel independently of one another; amovable decoy supporting base; a line extendible from said first reeland said second reel to said movable decoy supporting base; means foranchoring said line in a stationary manner in a desired location; and adecoy supported by said base.
 2. The decoy moving device of claim 1,wherein said means for rotatably supporting a first reel and a secondreel is a shaft connected to a crank.
 3. The decoy moving device ofclaim 2, wherein said means for rotating said first reel and said secondreel independently of one another comprises a pair coupling membersattached to each one of said reels and a pair of spaced apart pinsaffixed to said shaft positioned near an outer edge of said couplingmembers for cooperatively engaging a pin engaging means of one of saidcoupling members attached to said reels, whereby each one of saidcoupling members can be independently engaged by sliding said shaftalong the longitudinal axis.
 4. The decoy moving device of claim 1,wherein said means for anchoring said line in a stationary manner in adesired location is an anchor pin secured in the ground.
 5. The decoymoving device of claim 1, wherein said movable decoy supporting basecomprises a generally flat sled including at least one aperture thereinfor supporting a support member of a decoy.
 6. The decoy moving deviceof claim 5, wherein said sled defines side edges formed having an upwardangle.
 7. The decoy moving device of claim 5, wherein said sled includesa hole between the center point and the end thereof for extending a linetherethrough.
 8. The decoy moving device of claim 5, including weights.9. The decoy moving device of claim 1, wherein said means for anchoringsaid line in a stationary manner in a desired location is a decoy anchorincluding a floating member connected to a stationary object.
 10. Thedecoy moving device of claim 9, wherein said means for anchoringutilizes floating members which are disguised as decoys.
 11. The decoymoving device of claim 1, including a means for braking the rotation ofsaid reels.
 12. The decoy moving device of claim 11, wherein said meansfor braking comprises a spring wrapped coaxially around said shaft andengaging each reel with a slight tension to assist in control of theamount of string being reeled off the freewheeling reel.
 13. The decoymoving device of claim 11, wherein said means for braking comprises atubular longitudinal member having a spring inserted within and a pairof cylindrical members extending to and contacting said reels.
 14. Thedecoy moving device of claim 1, wherein said means for rotatablysupporting a first reel and a second reel is a shaft coaxially engaginga shaft connected to an electric motor.
 15. The decoy moving device ofclaim 1, wherein said decoy is supported by a cable suspended betweentwo stationary objects.
 16. The decoy moving device of claim 1,including means for guiding said line feeding and winding from saidreels.
 17. A decoy moving device, comprising:a frame; means forrotatably supporting at least a first takeoff reel and at least a secondtake-on reel on said frame; means for rotating said first takeoff reeland said second take-on reel independently of one another; a movabledecoy; a line extendible from said first takeoff reel and said secondtake-on reel to said movable decoy; means for anchoring said line in astationary manner in a desired location.
 18. The decoy moving device ofclaim 17 including a movable base for securing said decoy.
 19. A methodof moving a decoy back and forth and pivoting said decoy, comprising thesteps of:rotating a first feed reel and a second winding reel supportedby a shaft rotatably supported by a frame; securing a line to a decoy;anchoring said line in a movable manner at a stationary point by ananchor; and moving said line extending from said first feed reel andsaid second winding reel through said anchor thereby moving said decoyback and forth and pivoting said decoy by engaging and disengaging saidfirst feed reel and said second winding reel thereby changing directionof the movement of the line and decoy.